In District 300, candidates' addresses matters

In the race for three open seats on the Community Unit District 300 school board, where the six candidates live could be as important as the campaigns they run.

To ensure fair geographic representation, election rules dictate that no more than three people from the same township can serve on the school board at the same time.

This complicates this year's school board race, in which four of the candidates are from Dundee Township, the populous heart of the district.

Because board President Joe Stevens lives in Dundee Township, no more than two of the Dundee Township candidates can win a seat on the board - even if the top three vote-getters are from the township.

Former board member Dave Alessio, Community Finance Committee member Rob Lee, Tracey Perez and board Vice President Karen Roeckner are all running in Dundee Township.

Their opponents will have an easier time of it. Because no one else is running from their townships, Dorothy Jordan of Rutland Township and Anne Miller of Algonquin Township both have a 50-50 shot of winning a seat on the board.

Board President Joe Stevens said he would be willing to evaluate whether the residency rule is still necessary - but not without community feedback.

"I'm sure that's something we'd want to take the community's pulse on because it's so long-standing," Stevens said. "It's something we may look at."

Stevens actually benefited from the rule in 2007 when he was seated over Mary Fioretti even though Fioretti earned more votes; Fioretti lives in Algonquin Township, and three seats were already filled by residents of her township.

Candidates said the rule is probably needed - even if it means they are at a disadvantage because of their address.

"I understand the logic I assume is behind it," Lee said. "You don't want Algonquin or Carpentersville to dominate that board."

Jordan, a Pingree Grove resident and former teacher at the Cambridge Lakes Charter School, welcomed the rule - which will benefit her as the sole candidate from Rutland Township.

"The fact that it bodes well for Anne Miller and myself, that's a good thing," Jordan said.

But candidates said it would not change the way they campaigned.

"I think it won't affect me at all," Alessio said.